Boyz II Men- "We enjoy *N SYNC. They're very talented and can sing live very well. They are true entertainers and performers. But the other groups are dookie. BSB are ok on their records, but not good live. Only 2 guys from 98 Degrees can really sing, but they're our label mates, so we gotta be kind."
Sisqo- The Dru Hill frontman says he's impressed with 'N Sync's harmonies and choreography. Then again, people used to laugh at Sisqo's platinum hair and singing about thongs. The Dru Hill front man says when it comes to their music, the fellas of 'N Sync are "putting R & B groups to shame" with their harmonies and choreography. Sisqo says as a musician, he appreciates the intricate nature of their art and is impressed. He realizes that in the past when labels were trotting out boy bands like Mickey D's produces burgers, there were a lot of snickers among folks in the R & B community. But Sisqo notes, "it's not a joke no more."
Jordan Knight- I think they are really good. *NSYNC is kicking butt. I know them, so it makes it better.
Pink- Popstress Pink has admitted that she used to be a boy band hater. As revealed by our thirsty sources, the soulful singer says that she's happy to tour with the 'N Sync boys, but she wouldn't buy their music. Though the "There You Go" crooner admits that touring with the boys has exposed her to a wider audience, and opened up opportunities for her. Says Pink, "It's the greatest thing for me because of the exposure and appreciate them and appreciate them letting me on their tour - who am I? Nobody knows, but I'm getting there. I just have to wait my turn. It's a constant conflict for me though. I was a boy band hater just like everybody else before all this. I was like 'Oh my God! Boy bands suck! Pop music sucks! It's draining me! I'm ******* disgusted!' But I went to an 'N Sync concert last year and I walked away a fan. Their music? No. I'm not inspired by it. I'd never buy one of their albums, but - hey - opportunities knock and you've got to answer."
Richard Marx- "I got a call last summer to write a song for the group. I had a song going that I thought would be good for them, so I did a home demo that geared toward their sound. A week later I was told they loved the song but that it would be produced by one of their regular producers from the last album. The next day, I got the call that the guys had personally requested that I produce it myself. Soon thereafter I flew to LA where I cut the track with keyboard programmer C.J. Vanston and guitarist Michael Thompson, then we waited for a hole in the group's schedule (not an easy task) and I flew to Orlando to record their vocals. I hadn't met them, and really wasn't even sure who was who. By the end of the first night, the vocals were done. These guys sing so well and are such studio pros that it was a walk in the park. Justin ended up asking to stay behind and just sing the song over and over for fun. So he and I did that until 2am. When we weren't working on vocals, we were laughing hysterically at each other. Lots of recreating scenes from Mike Myers' So I Married An Axe Murderer and Austin Powers. I can say, without hesitation, that working with them was the most pleasurable experience I've ever had as a producer. It's just a shame the sales of [No Strings Attatched] are so dismal."
Joe McIntyre- J. P. homey Joe McIntyre, the cutest member of the boy band New Kids On The Block, sized up the current crop of teen throbs and pronounced that 'N Sync - but not the Backstreet Boys - has The Right Stuff. "They're talented and have a good sense of humor,'' Joe told the Track. As for the Backstreet Boys, no matter how many millions of CDs they sell, the Boys appear to always be "looking behind their backs'' at 'N Sync et. al, Joe said. McIntyre pronounced 98 Degrees the most pragmatic of the pop groups. "I met the guys and they're cool,'' he said. "They're all business. They're a working-man's boy band. They take care of business and don't get caught up in the whole thing.'' McIntyre, whose NKOTB hit it big in the '80s, is in awe of the current star-making machinery cranking out boy bands like 'N Sync and the BSB. Because back when the Kids hit the charts, no one in the music business knew how to handle the whole phenomenon. "It's such a business now,'' he said. "Everybody knows exactly what it is. Now, the Backstreet Boys are managed by the same guy who manages Korn and other big acts. This isn't a kiddie thing. It's big business.''
